Pīpīwai Trail and Kīpahulu Guide

The Trail

The route gets better as it goes: forest, Makahiku Falls, bamboo, then Waimoku.

The Park Service lists Pīpīwai at 4 miles round trip with about 800 feet of elevation change. The bamboo begins around a mile in, and the Waimoku Falls viewing area is near the end of the route. Expect wet roots, mud and slippery boardwalk after rain.

The last viewing area is not a swimming hole. Stay behind posted barriers near Waimoku; rockfall is the reason they exist.

Kīpahulu Beyond the Hike

The Pools of ʻOheʻo are not accessible for swimming. The easy Kūloa Point Trail gives you the legal view of the gulch and coastline. Current park status lists both the Summit and Kīpahulu districts as open 24 hours, subject to alerts and closures.

The $30 private-vehicle pass is valid for three days and covers both Kīpahulu and the Haleakalā summit district, even though you cannot drive between the two through the park.

Timing the Day

Protect the hike by being ruthless with the first half of the road.

If Pīpīwai is the main event, we would leave the North Shore early, make only one or two meaningful stops before Hāna, eat efficiently and continue. Hāna town to Kīpahulu is still another stretch of winding road, so do not treat Hāna as arrival.

Practical Tips

Check park alerts that morning for trail, weather and stream conditions.

Carry water and insect protection; Kīpahulu is hot, humid and rainy.

Wear closed shoes with real tread.

Do not promise children a swim at the Pools of ʻOheʻo; they are not open for swimming.

One Last Tip

If you want Pīpīwai, let Pīpīwai win the argument. The banana bread, overlooks and extra waterfalls will still be there on another trip.

How long is the hike?

The Park Service lists Pīpīwai at 4 miles round trip with about 800 feet of elevation change, and roughly 2½–3 hours on the trail.

Do I need a reservation?

You do not need a reservation for Kīpahulu or Pīpīwai. Current park status lists both the Summit and Kīpahulu districts as open 24 hours, subject to alerts and closures.

What does the park fee cost?

The park fee is $30 for a private-vehicle pass, valid for three days. It covers both Kīpahulu and the Haleakalā summit district, even though you cannot drive between the two through the park.

Can we swim at the Pools of ʻOheʻo?

No, you cannot swim at the Pools of ʻOheʻo. They are not accessible for swimming, and the last viewing area near Waimoku is not a swimming hole either — stay behind the posted barriers, because rockfall is the reason they exist.

What are trail conditions like?

Expect wet roots, mud and slippery boardwalk after rain. Check park alerts that morning for trail, weather and stream conditions, and carry water and insect protection.